Selling on Craigslist tip

[Brad_bb]

An offshoot topic from Larry's post about texting...

There are a lot of scammers, identity theirves, whatever trolling Craigslist.  Whenever I post an ad selling something, I get emails that are nonsensical, trying to get you to respond that just say things like "Is it still for sale?"  without specifying anything.  The way I reduce possible interactions with scammers like that is to put right in the ad:
"YOU MUST EMAIL ME YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND I'LL CALL YOU BACK", I will not return emails!

Scammers don't want to mess with this 98 percent of the time.  Also make sure the phone number is a legit phone number in your area, or if now, google the number to find out where it's coming from.  Make sure it's within the contiguous United States, and that it's not one of those $400/minute number from the Dominican Republic or wherever.

This will make your Craigslist selling experience better.  Always get them to leave their phone number so YOU can call them back.  This way you'll know you're dealing with a legit person.

Brad_bb

[Peter Drouin]

I get junk like that too , but you can tell and if in ? I delete :D

[Delawhere Jack]

I'm considering adding the line:

"Please do not call if you're a drunk old coot that wants to waste my time and won't remember that you called when you sober up."  >:(

But I'm afraid it may be offensive to some part time lushes.

[beenthere]

Even if I wasn't a "drunk old coot", I would avoid contacting someone who suggests that I might be. ;)
(and I'm not drunk  ;D)

I don't inquire into ads that give me explicit "instructions" of how I inquire. Prolly just me, but if the seller is particular then he/she can just hang on to their stuff a bit longer. After all, they are the ones wanting to sell something.

I will however, given brad's suggestion, now leave a phone no. when I respond via email as it will help the seller to recognize the response as possibly more legitimate.
But I prefer to respond to CL via email, and "text only" or "phone call only" instructions don't often get a response from me.

[easymoney]

i have not bought or sold much on craigs list. i price things too cheap as most items sell as soon as i list them. i recently listed an arc welder. i thought it was not going to sell but after about 2 weeks a fellow called me up and made an offer. he drove 200 miles to pick it up.
ebay is where i shop and sell mostly for small items. it is usually easy to figure out the scammers there. there are good deals to be found on ebay.

[SPIKER]

I had several cars on CL for sale on and off and bought them too.   I HATE it with the scammers/spammers and email phishers.   
In ALL my ads I put in them
EMAIL thru CL ONLY, No Texts, No Calls until email meeting is set up and cash only no loans no BS put the item description in email or it will be reported as spam to CL. 
   They always want you to respond with your personal email to some GMAIL addy or something similar.   95% of the responses you get now seem to be scams or email phishing BS so YA you can't trust them anymore...


Mark

[Brad_bb]

Like I said, if you require them to leave a phone number for you to call back, it eliminates almost all of the scammers. 

Once enough people understand that requiring a phone number is done to reduce scamming, they won't be averse as beenthere is.  I've been able to sell most of my stuff. 

Hey, along with requiring a phone number, if you wish you can also state that you are doing it to reduce scamming.  Craigslist is a great tool that scammers try to ruin.  We just have to stay a step ahead.

[Fraxinus]

I've had limited success with craigslist, both buying and selling.  The one thing that bugs me more than anything else is not the scam crap.  That's easy enough to spot.   It is the failure of the seller to respond to a legitimate inquiry where I list my name and location, maybe even a phone # if I feel brave. 
I tried to sell a 3-wheeler on CL a few years ago for weeks with no luck.  Listed it on Uncle Henry's (some of you will know that fine publication) and it went immediately.

[thecfarm]

I have never looked at Craiglist. I have no idea how many times I have looked at Uncle Henry's. A good local,New England,way to sell,buy.

[WDH]

I sell lots of lumber on Craigslist.

[trapper]

I plan to try it to use to sell a bunch of traps for a friend that moved to flordia and no longer traps.  Worked fine to give away a bunch of old windows my FIL left behind in the pole barn.

[Axe Handle Hound]

I don't inquire into ads that give me explicit "instructions" of how I inquire. Prolly just me, but if the seller is particular then he/she can just hang on to their stuff a bit longer. After all, they are the ones wanting to sell something.

This is understandable, but from the sellers point of view it can be very difficult to tell that you're a responsible individual who's actually interested in purchasing what's being sold.  You may be legitimate and I want to sell to someone like you, but until we talk I won't know for sure if I want you anywhere near my property.  I'd think you'd similarly want to call prior to showing up for your own safety concerns.  I recently bought a truck on CL and the seller was understandably suspicious of me at first as I was very much out of his state.  I included my phone number in my response and stated my reasons for being interested.  Ultimately I did by the truck and he got his money, a win-win based on a slight extension of trust.  Do be sure not to print out your numerical phone number in CL ads you post.  Scammers, CL addicts (people who love to be the first to respond to a listing, but never buy), and insomniacs love it when you do that.     

[NWP]

I'm still waiting on my $14,000,000 check from a Saudi prince. I bet it's in the mail.  :D

[beenthere]

you'd similarly want to call prior to showing up for your own safety concerns.

For sure for sure, and that is done before I go to someones house.

I was only referring to the CL ad and my first inquiry. With too many instructions, I don't inquire into the ad.

Some CL ads give maps to the location. I wouldn't do that.

[Brad_bb]

Sellers don't respond if they've got someone committed to coming to look/make a deal.  If you've got someone coming already, when call people down the list.  There's no point because you cannot set up a meeting with them(you've already got a potential buyer coming).  I go in order of responses received.  First response gets first dibs.  If you can't quickly make contact with them or they seem flaky, go to the next person on the list.  If you're fifth on the list, you're unlikely to get a call because, what's the point?